Is there anything else I should do before I get my gerbils?
Gerbils will not die without a wheel! They will be fine without one, but gerbils do need exercise and you will find gerbils very much enjoy running on a wheel. The wheel you get is important. Do not buy a wire wheel as they can get their feet caught or tails caught and can break them off while running. A solid plastic "noiseless" wheel will hold up well for a while (not the flimsy plastic ones!). As for your question, as long as they have food, water, some things to chew and absolutely NO plastic anything in their cage, you should be set. Do make sure they are left alone for at least a day to de-stress. Once they become acclimated to their surroundings, you can start with letting them get to know you with your hand laying in their cage. Otherwise, if the cage is set up and you have the right bedding and items, you're all set to get your two little ones! (Just make sure it's only two and they are the same sex of course). =)
What pet should I own?
Write down all the things that you want in a pet. Make sure these are qualities that are real and not just stereotypes. Don’t attach these things to a particular kind of pet. Just list the qualities.There is a great deal to consider, so take time to really think about this, and try not to let your biases or preconceptions color your true thoughts, wants, and needs.Answer the following questions in your notes:Will you be able to live with pet hair, a litter box, scooping poop from the yard or on a walk (cats can go on walks too), and the occasional wear-and-tear caused by pets?How much space do you have inside and outside your home? Do you have a fenced yard? Will you want an outdoor enclosure (a catio or better fencing) so your pet can spend time safely outdoors?How much time do you have to spend with a pet? No matter what pet you choose, you need to make sure you have the time. It isn’t true that cats are okay spending most of their day alone. They need at least 15 minutes of play twice a day (more for a kitten or young cat), and they need snuggle time or relaxing time just to be with you (at least 3 hours, but ideally more).What is your activity level? Are you sedentary or physically active?Do you have the financial resources if your pet has a medical crisis and has high veterinary bills?Do you have someone who can be a secondary caregiver if you are away from home? If not, how will you provide care for your pet when you travel? This is another huge difference between cats and dogs. You can have your dog stay with friends or family, but a cat is strongly bonded to its territory (your home), so you will have to find someone to come to your home to feed the cat, play with the cat, and just hang out for an hour or so every day.Make a list of things you don’t want in a pet. Remember to write down your reasoning.When you have an idea of what kind of pet you want, go to the animal shelter and meet dogs and cats. Ask lots of questions about anything that comes to mind.If you aren’t sure about which pet you would prefer, then try fostering a cat or dog (or other animal) for a few months, then fostering another kind for a few months. This can be a great way to figure out if an animal will really fit into your life.